Uganda Clamps Down on Unsolicited Text Messages

Uganda's marketing companies have been banned from using SMS to advertise their services until the regulator is able to tighten up the rules for such services.

The regulator, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said that the
decision was taken following complaints from the public about unsolicited SMS.

"Sometimes, subscribers' money is deducted after they have received an
unsolicited SMS. When complaints are raised, the service providers promise to
end the sending of SMS, but they do not," the regulator's spokesman announced.

He disclosed that customers were complaining most about unsolicited messages.

UCC executive director Godfrey Mutabaazi said the ban would be reviewed only
after the services are brought into line with new regulations to govern them.

The mobile networks are also required to tighten their procedures to ensure
that only customers who opt-in to a marketing campaign receive text messages.